U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), chair of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, said the committee had approved the BUILD America 250 Act after a 14-hour legislation markup session on Thursday.
The Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th, or BUILD American 250 Act is a bipartisan five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that invests in the nation’s transportation infrastructure and transportation safety programs. The bill provides the largest ever investment in American bridges, as well as provides funding for surface transportation projects, passenger rail investments and reforms, rail safety initiatives and the first ever autonomous commercial motor vehicle framework. Lawmakers said the bill also provides the first new revenue stream to the Highway Trust fund, via fees to ensure electric vehicles pay their fair share for road and highway maintenance.
“The purpose of the BUILD America 250 Act is right there in its name. We are celebrating the 250th anniversary of our nation and the infrastructure that has helped form it, and this bill is about building the infrastructure we need for America’s future,” Graves said. “This bill makes historic investments in our bridges and other critical infrastructure, reduces costs and delays in building, ensures states have the resources and flexibility they need, bolsters the Highway Trust Fund, fosters innovation, and provides a framework for safely integrating autonomous commercial motor vehicles onto our highways.”
Graves, and cosponsor U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member, said they look forward to moving the bill to the House floor in the near future and to the bill passing prior to Sept. 30 when the current reauthorization expires.